Final Tarpon day of 2013

We got beat up on day two. Dad had five eats but couldn't get the hook pinned. Then, we let a few shots at some BIG poons get away from us. Seeing those big fish in shallow water give chase is truly amazing. There is no doubt tarpon are the best fly rod fish in the world. Big, fast, strong, happy to eat a fly. You can find them on the beaches, in the woods, laid up, rolling and gurgling . They are exceptional fly rod quarry. Day 3 of 3 is about to begin. I've got the bow. With my curse finally broken, my tarpon nuclear winter over, it's time to focus on some of the big girls. We've seen about a half dozen fish that would clear 150. They may be out of my league but I'd sure like to find out. I guess we shall see.

Caught First Tarpon on Fly

And one more. Two more days of fishing. Tarpon are insane. I may not come back. Pictures to come. Our first meeting - I waited 20 years to meet her.

Game Day

Couple from our spring steelhead trip

Not sure what the current conditions are but with all the rain and cooler temps I'm thinking there will be a lot of fish in the rivers and they may be sticking around for a little while.

Although these fish were taken on the doorstep of our calendar spring we still faced winter-like conditions.

Dear Winter

You're being very selfish. Spring has been patiently waiting for playtime and you keep hogging it. Old man winter, I beg of you, hang it up until next year my friend. There is lots of fishing to be done and we need every warm day we can get!

Tell Reactor Watches to Stop Supporting PTTS

Saw this over at Moldy Chum. If you fish for Tarpon or would like to preserve your opportunity to fish for Tarpon in the future, then tell Reactor Watches to stop supporting PTTS. Watch the video to understand why. Follow this link to voice your opinion: http://www.reactorwatch.com/contact.html

BOYCOTT REACTOR WATCHES from Save the Tarpon on Vimeo.

MI update

On Sunday Dad got a grab on the swing moments after I walked up to him to call it a morning and a minute after he said let me take a couple more casts (wedding planning trumped fishing this weekend).

Modified ESL got the bite. Unfortunately, shortly after the grab the fish started to buck at the surface and the hook pulled. Probably nothing he could have done. Looked like a healthy winter fish and was enough to rekindle the fire. Dad has been beating me up on the swing this winter. He has a good feel for the drift.